MLB playoff betting - Red Sox vs Angels odds
- Battle of the bullpens
- Added power helps Angels
- Beckett not ready until Game 3
MLB playoff betting fans have been able to basically set their collective watch to the first round meeting of the Boston Red Sox and the Los Angeles Angels. This marks the third time these two powerhouses have met in the ALDS since 2004, so Red Sox vs. Angels betting should be quite exciting.
It’s worth mentioning that the last three times Boston has made it to the World Series, their journey began with a defeat of the Angels. So if you’re a believer in history repeating itself, then read no further and pencil Beantown into your MLB playoff picks.
The reality is however, that the Red Sox haven’t looked like the mighty team of the 2000s. The Halos took eight of nine games from Boston in the regular season, employing Mike Scoscia’s small ball to perfection.
Boston is the complete opposite; relying on power hitters primarily to break games open but, with the loss of Manny Ramirez, it looks a lot less imposing than in recent years. L.A., meanwhile, has added a game-breaker in Mark Teixiera who can go yard at any time.
Similarly, the two teams have essentially swapped places in terms of bullpen performance. Last year, Angels closer Francisco Rodriguez was being touted as a “roller coaster,” and on the decline. K-Rod bounced back with a record-breaking 62-save campaign. Sox stopper Jonathan Papelpon and his crew were lights-out in 2007, but have looked human this season, likely due to overuse.
An injury to Josh Beckett gives Red Sox vs. Angels lines a tremendous swing in L.A.’s favor in Games 1 and 2. Young Jon Lester will take to the mound against perennial Cy Young candidate John Lackey to kick things off, so the Angels will certainly be favored in MLB playoff odds on Wednesday.
Friday’s matchup will be an interesting one, pitting two All-Stars, Daisuke Matsuzaka and Ervin Santana, against one another. Beckett should get the start for Game 3 and has been unstoppable in the postseason, but will it be too late for the BoSox to turn it around by then?
T.J.’s PICK: MLB playoff lines will favor the Angels, and rightfully so. It’s tough to find a weakness in the L.A. squad—the starting pitching is there, their bullpen is the best in the game, they’re masters of manufacturing run. And now they can rack up some cheap runs with sluggers like Teixiera and Torii Hunter.
Those betting on sports will certainly see some question marks in Boston. Nagging injuries to J.D. Drew and Mike Lowell are a concern, as is the wear and tear on the bullpen after nearly two months of meaningful games, battling for a playoff spot.
The Angels are 100 per cent fresh and healthy, and should be able to wear the BoSox down and move along in four games. Bet on the Angels to win.
Visit the betonline.com Sportsbook for more MLB playoff betting and MLB odds. The Bettor’s Edge offers daily tips and insight into MLB playoff series, including Red Sox vs Angels odds.
T.J. Kendrick is the biggest baseball nut and a brilliant MLB handicapper. His love of the game borders on obsession, and he takes every chance he gets to make excellent predictions, frequently contributing to industry handicapping sites as well as betonline.com. Thoughts or questions?
